Bar-be-cue saver picnic dome

ABSTRACT

A foldable rectangular dome having four side panels and a top forming an enclosure with an open bottom. Each side comprises of at lease one frame, a web material with a perimeter, an edging material that attaches to the entire web&#39;s perimeter. The edging has straps periodically stitched along its edging system designed to strap in the frames. The top opens to receive and share its cargo by means of two opposing zippers that run along the top&#39;s foremost concave portion in a single track. A method of folding the rectangular dome enclosure is also disclosed.

I claims the benefit of provisional patent application Serial No. 60/613,578 filed Sep. 28, 2004 by the present inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a foldable rectangular dome, specifically to a foldable rectangular dome enclosure used for protection of food from pests while outdoors.

2. Prior Art

The present invention relates generally to an outdoor product and specifically to a foldable rectangular dome with an open bottom and a method of making and using the foldable dome for the protection and sanitation of our food while outdoors.

We go through a great deal of trouble in preparing and planning for outings, yet very little is done for the protection of our food. As the result our food, more often than not, fall under attack to pests. Of course, we deal with the problem as best we can. We often try shooing and swatting away at anything that attemps to get within range of our food. When that does not work, we try covering everything, but pests always seem to find a way in.

There is also the problem with the wind; most inventions end up on the ground half of the time. They're just not sturdy enough to with stand light winds. So we just go without.

While some inventions that provide some protection do exist they fall short of the total protection we require. Most inventions are designed to cover just one or two items at a time, but that's not enough to eliminate the problem or more people would be using them.

The present invention solves all of these problems with over six cubic-feet of protective space. It can be placed on any picnic tabletop and in seconds is ready to protect. The attachable weights solve wind problems, and the fact that it can be conveniently folded away makes it ideal for travel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an outdoor product and specifically to a foldable rectangular dome and method of making and using the same.

In accordance with the invention, the improved method of protecting food while outdoors becomes apparent on the amount of food the picnic dome is actually capable of protecting due to its shear volume. The ease of use also makes the picnic dome user-friendly. The fact that any one can simply walk up to it, get what they need, and walk away makes the picnic dome extremely family oriented. Plus its ability to fold makes it ideal for traveling. The fact that the market place has nothing like it makes it a necessity.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide an improved means of protecting a whole table top of food while in the outdoors. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of the following description and accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

DRAWING 1 FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the covering in a fully open position.

DRAWING 2 FIG. 2 shows a pattern view of the covering.

DRAWING 3 FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the frame's skeleton in a fully open position.

DRAWING 4 FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the frame's skeleton folding points.

DRAWING 5 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame's skeleton in a fully close position.

DRAWING 6 FIGS. 6-10 shows the front, top, back, and side views of the foldable rectangular dome.

DRAWING 7 FIGS. 7 is a front display of the four consecutive frames, along with the top concave portion and its opposing zipper system.

DRAWING 7a FIG. 7 a shows an inside-out view of the front's four consecutive frames and the straps that hold the frames fasten.

DRAWING 8 FIG. 8, is a top view of the foldable rectangular dome.

DRAWING 9 FIG. 9 is back view of the foldable rectangular dome.

DRAWING 9a FIG. 9 a shows an inside-out view of the back's four consecutive frames and the straps that hold the frames fasten.

DRAWING 10 FIG. 6 is a plain left side view of the foldable rectangular dome.

DRAWING 11 FIG. 10 is a right side view of the foldable rectangular dome.

DRAWING 12 is an entire open view of the foldable rectangular dome.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

13 left side frame panel

14 right side frame panel

15 first front panel's consecutive frame

16 second front panel's consecutive frame

17 third front panel's consecutive frame

18 forth front panel's consecutive frame

19 first back panel's consecutive frame

20 second back panel's consecutive frame

21 third back panel's consecutive frame

22 forth back panel's consecutive frame

23 mechanical hinge

24 left handle

25 right handle

26 web material

27 edging

28 light weight web material

29 zipper

30 left weight station

31 right weight station

32 velcro strip

33 weights

34 stitches

35 handle backing material

36 concave portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment had been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

The present invention, a foldable rectangular dome, is illustrated in DRAWINGS 1-12.

As shown in DRAWING. 1-12 the foldable rectangular dome is comprised of a frame skeleton, FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and a covering FIG. 1,2, and 2 a.

The frame skeleton FIGS. 2,4, and 5 is constructed of approximately ten frames 13-22 attached to each other with mechanical hinges 23 to form a five side rectangular dome with an open bottom FIG. 6-10.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 the left frame 13 and right frame panel 14 are constructed of a single frame.

The front panel FIG. 7 is constructed of four individual frames 15,16,17, and 18 FIG. 3 Wherein the first frame 15 is attached to the lateral side of the adjacent frame 16 by means of a mechanical hinge 23. In turn frame 16 is attached to the lateral side of the adjacent frame 17 by means of a mechanical hinge 23. And in the same manner frame 17 is attached to the lateral side of its adjacent frame 18 by means of a mechanical hinge 23 until frames 15, 16, 17, and 18 have constructed a front panel.

The back panel FIG. 9 is also constructed of four individual frames 19, 20, 21, and 22 FIG. 3 Wherein the first frame 19 is attached to the lateral side of the adjacent frame 20 by means of a mechanical hinge 23. In turn frame 20 is attached to the lateral side of the adjacent frame 21 by means of a mechanical hinge 23. And in the same manner frame 21 is attached to the lateral side of its adjacent frame 22 by means of a mechanical hinge 23 until frames 19,20,21 and 22 have constructed a back panel.

The top panel FIG. 8 is comprised of a web 26, a stretchable material such as nylon mesh, but can be any suitably flexible material. A zipper 29 is in turn attached to top's foremost concave portion of the web perimeter. An edging 27 is then coupled to the entire length of the zipper 29 and the remaining web perimeter 26. Velcro straps 32 are periodically stitched along the length of the edging 27 designed to strap in the top portions of all frames 15-22 FIG. 3 and frame panels 13 and 14 FIG. 2 exploded view.

Both handles 24 and 25 are connected to the top portions of side panels FIG. 6 and 10.

Further including both weight station 30 and 31 are attached to the bottom portions of side panels FIG. 6 and 10.

FIG. 1 gives a view of the light flexible material 28, design to give the dome and tighter seal.

Although stitching is presented as the preferred method for attaching or connecting the elements of the foldable dome, it is to be understood that other methods of attachment can be used in this invention. Such of methods may include heat sealing, gluing and the like. Accordingly, construction of the foldable dome should not be limited to stitching along.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principle of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Operations

Operation of the foldable rectangular dome begins by applying outward pressure to both side panel handles until the picnic dome is in a fully open position. It is recommended a mat be placed on a picnic tabletop before placing the picnic dome on the table. Assure the proper weights are calculated for stability from the wind if needed. Food may then be placed inside the picnic dome for security.

After enjoying the security provided by the picnic dome the closing process will be in a reverse order of the opening process.

The closing process starts by applying inward pressure to the four folding points FIG. 4 while applying inward pressure on both side panels until the picnic dome is in a fully close position FIG. 5.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

The reader will see that I have provided an improved method for protecting food while in the outdoors. In as much as the picnic dome is capable of protecting over six cubit feet of food space. Also, since all panel dimensions are calculated from the length of the picnic dome FIG. 12 and its approximated value of three to five feet, smaller versions may also be produced for backyard use.

While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiment thereof Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teaching of the invention. For example, the method in which the dome folds FIG. 4 may be changed as may their orientations and locations of the handles and or weight stations. Further, the method in which the top panel opens with its opposing zipper system may also be changed to rely on a Velcro system instead.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given. 

1. A foldable rectangular dome having an open bottom, said foldable rectangular dome comprising: a frame skeleton and an outer covering having four side panels and a top panel forming an enclosure having an open bottom of substantial volume; the right and left side panels are made of a single frame whereas the front and back panels are made out of a series of four consecutive frames attached to each other's lateral sides by means of at least one hinging mechanism per lateral side; each of said four sides of said covering consisted of a web of material having a perimeter per said frame, an edging attached to substantilly the entire said perimeter of said web.
 2. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein each of said four sides and top is referred to as a said panel.
 3. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein said left and right side panels further comprising a handle attached to each upper outside portion of the said web.
 4. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein said left and right side panels further comprising a weight station attached to each lower outside portion of the said web.
 5. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein said left and right side panel could have some detachable weights Velcro to the lower outside said weight station.
 6. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein the length of said foldable rectangular dome is approximately three to five feet.
 7. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein the width of said rectangular dome is approximately one half the said length.
 8. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein the height of said rectangular dome is approximately two third of said width.
 9. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein the width of each of said consecutive frame is approximately ¼ of the said length of the said rectangular dome.
 10. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein the height of the series of said four consecutive frames that form the said front panel is approximately ⅛ of the said height of the said rectangular dome.
 11. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, whereas the open bottom is comprises of an edging attached to the bottom portions of all said frames.
 12. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, whereas a light web material is attached to the length of the bottom said edging of claim
 11. 13. further including the light web material of claim 12 is approximate three inches in width.
 14. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein two opposing zippers are attached to the top's foremost concave portion.
 15. The foldable rectangular dome of claim 1, wherein Velcro straps is periodically stitched along the length of the said edging system.
 16. further the straps of claim 15 are designed to strap in the said frame skeleton.
 17. A method of folding the said foldable rectangular dome, said method comprising the steps of: Apply inward pressure against the four folding points shown in FIG. 4 while pushing inward on the two outer panels until both said panels are adjacent to each other. 